Trail Of Light
by
Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid
(November 24, 2019)
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 King James Version [KJV]).
Greetings In The Holy Name Of Jesus Yahshuah,
My sisters and brothers, sometimes the folks trying to knock you down, do not see the trail of light you leave behind, striving like that. I sat for a moment, yes, consuming another mouthful of turkey and dressing and quickly fell into a contemplative reflection. You see I was thinking about my thoughts and the journey I was thinking how far I came by faith. And, not so long ago, I know I contemplated on my year’s work —- 2019. This time I did not contemplate any year just the journey.
You must see the high calling that calls you to the plow each day, sowing seeds that are life - giving. The living of life in Christ Jesus is a hard fought fight because you hear folks who also are on the battlefield with you, always in the same space of time, say, He fought the good fight. As you walk the journey there are hard moments of thoughts to contemplate and in so doing your thinking is not as much judgmental as it is feeling, the bumps and bruises of the war, each battle fought, one at a time, raging inside of you. What happens when unmistakably you find yourself on several fronts, fighting many battles, all at the same time and your strength is waning, failing you for the the flesh is weak and the temptations of the flesh weakened you beyond what you thought was possible?
Is there hope and can you keep hope alive? The battles are the LORD GOD’s battles - give all of them to The Most Holy Yahweh, our GOD who sits up high in heaven and looks down low to earth with his arm stretched out to save you through Christ Jesus. Let us look to Peter [1 Peter 4:12-19, KJV], who described himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ [Holy Bible, n.d.] , also known for living in fear of what could happen yet called to stand in spite of the state of affairs, the status quo, for Jesus, for our Lord and Savior called Peter, the Rock. Understandably, the “fiery trial” [4:12] was “a time of suffering and trial was brought on by the widespread persecutions of the Christians by the Romans.”[Holy Bible, n.d.]:
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
Most importantly, in reflection, the fiery trials of yesterday even 2,000 years ago we might think were not so, and for you to dabble in your thoughts that we are in a more modern time of civility in grace and folks do not misjudge or falsely accuse their neighbors, since the great systemic change of grace prevailed so much the gates of hell cannot stand against the power of GOD. The power of GOD is real. So, we say, in our thoughts, in serious contemplations of what happens when bad people are in power, we know the people, cry out to GOD, but we say either, this just is not happening in unbelief that such cruel intentions still rule on the earth, since grace or we say, why does evil still try to rule the earth when the power of GOD’s goodness is truthfully effervescent. Accordingly, in the teachings of Matthew [16:15-20], KJV] the publican, tax collector, and disciple, we find in Peter’s confession of Christ, Jesus is teaching his disciples:
“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
How real is that the trail of light left behind by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? This light of Jesus is real.
More importantly, the light of GOD spoken into existence in the beginning is real, “And God said, “Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:3-4, KJV). We awake to the light of day—and join in the universal rejoicing of gladness for the blessed day, so duly the light in our hearts, represents our unity in faith, in Jesus Christ. Therefore, let us continually pray for the light to remain in our hearts and minds as we press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.
In closing, Jesus did not leave you lonely without hope. GOD did not leave you without a way to escape everlasting damnation but sent you saving grace, redemption paid by the price of the blood of the lamb, God’s only “begotten Son” [John 3:16, KJV]. Let us keep our hope alive! Christ be with you.
Stay in the faith of Jesus Christ. God be with you. Walk with God. Amen.
